Catalog
of Long Term Research Conducted by the Northeastern Research Station

Catalog #86

Title:

Central Pennsylvania Risk-Rating
Plots

Objective:

Initially used for short term impacts of gypsy moth on forest
and to refine hazard rating systems developed by Herrick and
Gansner. Note: plots were subsetted in 1986 - subset was used
to monitor long-term impacts and stand recovery.

Year Established:

1978

Year Completed:

1995

Site Description:

Plots monitored during 1978 to 1986 were located across Central
PA. roughly between State College, Lewisburg, Harrisburg, and
Lewistown PA. UTMs available for location. Plots monitored during
1986 to 1993 were also located in Central PA. within the boundaries
of Tuscarora and Bald Eagle State Forests. This area is part
of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province and includes
primarily mixed oak forests including some of the most extensive
and highest quality oak forests in PA. Gypsy moth defoliation
patterns were found over the plots from 1978 to 1990 with a
gypsy moth outbreak occurring during 1981 and 1986. The stand
age ranged from 33 to 161 years during 1978. The 1978 basal
area/acre of all species in 1978 ranged from 29 to 184' squared/acre
with distribution of oak basal area/acre ranging from 0% to
97%.

Statistical Design:

During 1978, 201 plots within 3 permanent 0.1-acre plots were
randomly selected within 4 susceptible strata. In 1986, monitoring
began on 228 plots in a six-county area of central PA and within
the boundaries of the Tuscarora and Bald Eagle State Forests.
All of subset sites are relocatable.

Likelihood of Locating Study Areas:

100%

Experimental Treatments:

None; however, subset is being salvaged and no longer protected
from spray for gypsy moth defoliation; and, there are no gypsy
moth impacts to measure.

Initially field data collection rechecked intensely; data
was verified the second year. Subset has been verified by 100%
cross reference with field sheets. Accuracy assessment completed
1986-1992 for subset. Annual field training for all field crew.